EP1866191B1 - A seat-belt pretensioner arrangement - Google Patents

A seat-belt pretensioner arrangement Download PDF

Info

Publication number
EP1866191B1
EP1866191B1 EP06717082A EP06717082A EP1866191B1 EP 1866191 B1 EP1866191 B1 EP 1866191B1 EP 06717082 A EP06717082 A EP 06717082A EP 06717082 A EP06717082 A EP 06717082A EP 1866191 B1 EP1866191 B1 EP 1866191B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
seat
vehicle
belt
function
control system
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Active
Application number
EP06717082A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP1866191A1 (en
EP1866191A4 (en
Inventor
Christophe Gillet
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Autoliv Development AB
Original Assignee
Autoliv Development AB
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Autoliv Development AB filed Critical Autoliv Development AB
Publication of EP1866191A1 publication Critical patent/EP1866191A1/en
Publication of EP1866191A4 publication Critical patent/EP1866191A4/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP1866191B1 publication Critical patent/EP1866191B1/en
Active legal-status Critical Current
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical

Links

Images

Classifications

    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60RVEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B60R21/00Arrangements or fittings on vehicles for protecting or preventing injuries to occupants or pedestrians in case of accidents or other traffic risks
    • B60R21/01Electrical circuits for triggering passive safety arrangements, e.g. airbags, safety belt tighteners, in case of vehicle accidents or impending vehicle accidents
    • B60R21/013Electrical circuits for triggering passive safety arrangements, e.g. airbags, safety belt tighteners, in case of vehicle accidents or impending vehicle accidents including means for detecting collisions, impending collisions or roll-over
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60RVEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B60R21/00Arrangements or fittings on vehicles for protecting or preventing injuries to occupants or pedestrians in case of accidents or other traffic risks
    • B60R21/01Electrical circuits for triggering passive safety arrangements, e.g. airbags, safety belt tighteners, in case of vehicle accidents or impending vehicle accidents
    • B60R21/013Electrical circuits for triggering passive safety arrangements, e.g. airbags, safety belt tighteners, in case of vehicle accidents or impending vehicle accidents including means for detecting collisions, impending collisions or roll-over
    • B60R21/0132Electrical circuits for triggering passive safety arrangements, e.g. airbags, safety belt tighteners, in case of vehicle accidents or impending vehicle accidents including means for detecting collisions, impending collisions or roll-over responsive to vehicle motion parameters, e.g. to vehicle longitudinal or transversal deceleration or speed value
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60RVEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B60R22/00Safety belts or body harnesses in vehicles
    • B60R22/34Belt retractors, e.g. reels
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60RVEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B60R22/00Safety belts or body harnesses in vehicles
    • B60R22/34Belt retractors, e.g. reels
    • B60R22/36Belt retractors, e.g. reels self-locking in an emergency
    • B60R22/40Belt retractors, e.g. reels self-locking in an emergency responsive only to vehicle movement
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60RVEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B60R21/00Arrangements or fittings on vehicles for protecting or preventing injuries to occupants or pedestrians in case of accidents or other traffic risks
    • B60R21/01Electrical circuits for triggering passive safety arrangements, e.g. airbags, safety belt tighteners, in case of vehicle accidents or impending vehicle accidents
    • B60R2021/01204Actuation parameters of safety arrangents
    • B60R2021/01252Devices other than bags
    • B60R2021/01265Seat belts
    • B60R2021/01272Belt tensioners
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60RVEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B60R21/00Arrangements or fittings on vehicles for protecting or preventing injuries to occupants or pedestrians in case of accidents or other traffic risks
    • B60R21/01Electrical circuits for triggering passive safety arrangements, e.g. airbags, safety belt tighteners, in case of vehicle accidents or impending vehicle accidents
    • B60R21/013Electrical circuits for triggering passive safety arrangements, e.g. airbags, safety belt tighteners, in case of vehicle accidents or impending vehicle accidents including means for detecting collisions, impending collisions or roll-over
    • B60R2021/01313Electrical circuits for triggering passive safety arrangements, e.g. airbags, safety belt tighteners, in case of vehicle accidents or impending vehicle accidents including means for detecting collisions, impending collisions or roll-over monitoring the vehicle steering system or the dynamic control system

Definitions

  • This invention relates to a seat-belt pretensioner arrangement, and more particularly relates to a seat-belt pretensioner arrangement for use in a vehicle, such as a motor car to apply a tension to a seat-belt to reduce the risk of injury to a seat occupant in an accident situation.
  • the action of the pretensioner is to ensure that the seat-belt can provide an optimum retaining effect, thus effectively retaining the person wearing the seat-belt in their seat during the accident situation and minimising the risk of the person wearing the seat-belt moving from their position in their seat to impact with part of the vehicle, such as a steering-wheel or dashboard.
  • US 6,394,495 discloses a seat-belt tightener which has an electrical tightening device that can be operated in dependence on sensor signals generated by sensors which evaluate various parameters relating to the vehicle in which the arrangement is fitted.
  • the electrical tightening device can generate a "soft" tightening profile with a relatively low seat-belt tension, or alternatively can generate a "hard” tightening profile with a higher pulling force, which gives a higher seat-belt tension.
  • the soft tightening profile is chosen when the vehicle exhibits certain handling characteristics such as an excessive lateral acceleration, or excessive yaw angle speed or yaw angle acceleration.
  • the hard tightening profile is selected when other indicating signals, such as signals from a brake pressure meter, which determines the severity of braking, are higher than an assigned threshold value.
  • the soft tightening profile is selected in response to signals from some specific sensors and the hard tightening profile is selected in response to signals from other sensors.
  • EP 0 800 970 A1 discloses a seat belt pretensioner arrangement comprising a pretensioner applying at least two tension levels to a seat-belt and a control system controlling the pretensioner, the control system including at least one processor processing signals from two or more sensors, which sense parameters related to the current or expected slip situation of the vehicle.
  • the present invention seeks to provide an improved seat-belt pretensioner arrangement.
  • a seat belt pretensioner arrangement comprising a pretensioner applying at least two tension levels to a seat-belt and a control system, controlling the pretensioner.
  • the control system including at least one processor processing signals from two or more sensors, which sense parameters related to the current or expected slip situation of the vehicle, said processor generating a plurality of vehicle slip functions (f o/u , f bs , f em , f hsc ), the control system incorporating a discriminator selecting one out of the plurality of slip functions (f o/u , f bs , f em , f hsc ) where the slip functions (f o/u , f bs , f em , f hsc ) are selected from over-steer/under-steer, body slip, evasive manoeuvring and high speed cornering, the control system also selecting the tension level to be applied to the seat-belt by the
  • the control system controlling the pretensioner to further increase the tension in the seat-belt as the or each successive threshold is passed.
  • the sensors sense parameters selected from longitudinal velocity, lateral acceleration, angular velocity (yaw), and steering angle.
  • a said processor to generate a function indicative of over-steer/under-steer of the vehicle.
  • a processor to generate a function indicative of body slip of the vehicle.
  • the function indicative of evasive manoeuvring is a function of axial velocity, steering angle and rate of change of steering angle. (Steering angular velocity).
  • a motor vehicle 1 is shown schematically, the vehicle 1 having a pair of rear wheels 2 and a pair of front wheels 3.
  • Figure 1 illustrates various parameters which may be sensed in one embodiment of the invention.
  • the vehicle may have a longitudinal velocity v x which is the normal speed of the vehicle.
  • the vehicle may also have a lateral acceleration a y , and such an acceleration may be generated in a side impact situation or, alternatively, if the vehicle makes a sharp or high speed turn.
  • the vehicle may have an angular velocity about a vertical axis z passing through the centre of the vehicle, ⁇ z . This angular rotation may be termed "yaw".
  • the vehicle has, at any instant, a "steering angle", the steering angle ⁇ , being the angle between the rolling direction of the front wheels 3 of the vehicle and the longitudinal axis of the vehicle.
  • the vehicle 1 may be subjected to a lateral or side slip situation when the front wheels 3 and/or the real wheels 2 are slipping in a lateral direction, for instance as a result of under-steering or over-steering of the vehicle 1.
  • a slip situation also occurs when the vehicle 1 is subjected to body slip, whereby the body of the vehicle 1 slips in a lateral direction.
  • Figure 2 illustrates a plurality of sensors which are provided to sense the various parameters identified with reference to Figure 1 .
  • a sensor 4 is provided to sense longitudinal velocity v x .
  • a sensor 5 is provided to determine the angular velocity ⁇ z (or "yaw") about the vertical axis z.
  • a sensor 6 is provided to determine the steering angle ⁇ .
  • a sensor 7 is provided to determine lateral acceleration ay.
  • the signals from various combinations of sensors are passed to a central system in which the signals are processed by processors to produce outputs representative of various "handling conditions" or "vehicle dynamic severity conditions" of the vehicle.
  • the signals are processed to determine how the vehicle is being driven, whether slowly or quickly, whether cornering or straight, whether with sharp or high speed corners, to enable a determination to be made of whether there is a risk or probability of an accident occurring.
  • a processor 9 determines a function (f o/u ) of v x , ⁇ z and ⁇ , the function (f o/u ) being a function which indicates the degree of over-steer or under-steer.
  • the processor 9 performs a complex process on the inputs that it receives from three of the sensors, namely the sensors 4, 5 and 6 as described above, to produce an output which is effectively indicative of the degree of under-steer or the degree of over-steer. It is to be understood that the output indicative of the degree of under-steer or over-steer is to be used to indicate the degree of lateral slip of the vehicle 1.
  • the processor 10 determines a function (f bs ) of v x , ⁇ z and a y , the function (f bs ) being a function which indicates the degree of body slip.
  • the processor 10 performs a complex process on the input that it receives from three of the sensors, namely the sensors 4, 5 and 7 to produce an output which is, effectively, an indication of the degree of side slip of the vehicle.
  • the processor 11 determines a function (f em ) of v x and ⁇ , the function (f em ) being in the form which indicates the degree of evasive manoeuvring of the motor vehicle.
  • the function is actually a function which involves not only ⁇ , but the first differential of ⁇ with regard to time, that differential being determined within the processor 11.
  • the processor 11 forms a complex process on the inputs that it receives from two of the sensors, namely the sensors 4 and 6 to provide an output which is an effective indication of the degree of evasive manoeuvring being performed.
  • the degree of evasive manoeuvring is related to the lateral slip of the vehicle 1, and it is to be understood that the output indicative of the degree of evasive manoeuvring is to be used to indicate the expected slip of the vehicle 1.
  • the processor 13 determines a function (f hsc ) of v x and a y , the function (f hsc ) being in a form which indicates high speed cornering of the vehicle.
  • the processor 13 performs a complex process on the input that it receives from two of the sensors, namely the sensors 4 and 7, to produce an output which is effectively an indication of the degree of high speed cornering that is being experienced by the vehicle. If the vehicle 1 is experiencing high speed cornering the vehicle 1 may undergo lateral slip and it is to be understood that the output from the sensors 4 and 7 which is indicative of the degree of high speed cornering is to be used to indicate the expected slip of the vehicle 1.
  • the arrangement thus far described, thus produces a plurality of signals, each of which are indicative of a "handling condition” or a "slip condition” of the vehicle.
  • the signals have a low value when the vehicle is being driven slowly and carefully, and a high value when the vehicle is being driven in a potentially dangerous manner.
  • the discriminator 14 effectively determines which of the input signals from the processors 9 to 13 has the highest absolute value
  • the discriminator 14 produces an output which is the absolute value of the function (f i ), that is to say the numerical value of the function regardless of whether the numerical value is positive or negative.
  • the discriminator 14 may combine the signals from the various processors 9 to 13, to provide a complex function which indicates the degree of lateral slip or the expected degree of lateral slip of the vehicle 1 which is also indicative of overall probability or risk of an accident occurring. In determining the complex function other data may be used than simply the outputs fo the processors 9 to 13, such as, for example, the speed of the vehicle as sensed by the sensor 4.
  • the output of the discriminator 14 is provided to a comparator 15.
  • the comparator 15 includes at least one threshold.
  • the purpose of the comparator 15 is to provide an output when the function from the discriminator 14 exceeds a first threshold, and also to respond to a further increase in the function.
  • the output of the comparator is provided to a force level selector 16.
  • the force level selector 16 controls an electric motor 17 which is incorporated within a seat-belt retractor 19, to wind-in seat-belt until a predetermined tension is achieved.
  • the tension in the seat-belt is increased when the first threshold is crossed, and is also increased in response to each of a plurality of further increases in the function, as each of the remaining four thresholds are passed.
  • the seat-belt is tensioned by the retractor in dependence on the magnitude of the function, with the level of tension increasing with an increasing value of the function (f i ).
  • the processors 9 to 13, the discriminator 14, the comparator 15 and the selector 16 together form a control system to control the pretensioner.
  • the control system generates a plurality of slip functions from a plurality of sensed parameters.
  • the tension level applied to the seat-belt is selected in response to the value of the largest of the functions.
  • the force level selector can be configured to select a force level or tension in the seat-belt which is directly proportional to the magnitude of the function, once the function has exceeded a first lower threshold, with the seat-belt tension thus rising smoothly until a maximum tension is obtained rather than in a step-wise fashion.
  • control function is exerted through the medium of a function selected from a plurality of functions derived from a plurality of processors, each of which effectively generates a signal indicative of a particular slip function or handling characteristic of a vehicle
  • the output of the processor 9 which indicates the degree of over-steer or under-steer, is passed directly to the comparator 15 which compares the degree of under-steer and over-steer with a plurality of thresholds (as will be described further with reference to Figure 3 ) and which passes a signal to the force level selector 16 to cause the retractor to be tensioned.
  • the various sensors will sense parameters which are not directly related to an accident situation, but, by sensing the parameters, it is possible to determine when an accident is likely to occur, and, taking into account parameters such as the velocity of the vehicle v x at that instant, it is possible to determine the probable severity of the accident.
  • the seat-belt may be retracted into the retractor. If the situation is such that there is a low risk of the vehicle going out of control, then the seat-belt may be tensioned gently.
  • the seat-belt may be tensioned, by the retractor, to a higher degree, which may provide some slight discomfort to the person wearing the seat-belt, (or may even injure the person - especially if the person suffers from osteoporosis or brittle bone syndrome) but which will ensure that the seat-belt is in the optimum condition for providing protection to the person wearing the seat-belt should the anticipated severe accident occur.
  • the upper graphical figure is a graph showing the output of the processor 9, that is to say the processor that provides the function (f o/u ) which indicates the degree of over-steering or under-steering.
  • the graph shows five predetermined thresholds for under-steer and over-steer. It can be seen that initially there is a substantial degree of under-steer. As the degree of under-steer exceeds the first threshold, the tensioner motor 17 is actuated to wind in seat-belt until there is a tension F, and it can be seen that the tension in the safety-belt is 50 N. Subsequently the second threshold is crossed, and the tension rises to 75 N. As the third threshold is crossed the tension rises to 100 N and as the fourth and fifth thresholds are crossed the applied force rises to 125 and 150 N respectively. The degree of under-steer continues to increase, but the maximum tension of 150 N is maintained.
  • the various thresholds are passed, until finally the first threshold is passed.
  • the maximum tension is maintained, however, as all of these thresholds are passed and then for an additional predetermined period of time, as indicated by the short arrow 21. This is to ensure that tension is not released prematurely in a complex accident situation.
  • the tension in the seat-belt increases with incremental step increases as each threshold is passed. It is possible in a modified embodiment of the invention for the tension to be applied in a "smoother" manner, with the initial “soft" tension in the seat-belt being applied, once a first threshold has been exceeded.
  • the selector 16 may provide an output when a first threshold is exceeded, the output of the selector then rising in a predetermined manner in response to any further rise in the value of the function.
  • the tension in the seat-belt may be effectively proportional to the magnitude of the relative function until a second threshold or maximum possible applied force has been achieved.
  • the applied force will then be maintained at the maximum level again until a predetermined period of time has elapsed following the reduction in the function to a level beneath the first threshold. This is illustrated in solid lines in Figure 4 , with the corresponding "step" function being shown in dotted lines.
  • a retractor that forms part of an embodiment of the invention may additionally be provided with a conventional pretensioner actuated by a pyrotechnic charge, responsive to an accident sensor, to be actuated in case an accident should occur which is not sensed by sensors described above.
  • pretensioner Whilst the invention has been described with reference to embodiments in which the pretensioner is incorporated into a retractor, other types of pretensioner may be used.
  • control system may be configured so that whenever the seat-belt is in use and the vehicle is in use, tension will be applied to the seat-belt by the tensioner motor 17, so that the seat-belt is never “slack” but always gently restrains a seat occupant within the seat.
  • the tension applied to the seat-belt by the tensioner motor will increase, under the control of the control system, in response to a potential "accident" situation, as described above.

Abstract

A seat-belt pretensioner arrangement includes a pretensioner configured to apply at least two tension levels to a seat-belt and a control system to control the pretensioner. A control system is configured to provide at least one vehicle slip function which is derived from at least one sensed parameter relating to the current or expected dynamic situation of the vehicle. The control system is configured to select the tension level to be applied to the seat-belt by the pretensioner in response to the value of the slip function provided by the control system.

Description

  • This invention relates to a seat-belt pretensioner arrangement, and more particularly relates to a seat-belt pretensioner arrangement for use in a vehicle, such as a motor car to apply a tension to a seat-belt to reduce the risk of injury to a seat occupant in an accident situation.
  • It has been proposed previously to provide seat-belt pretensioners which apply a tension to a seat-belt in the event that an accident occurs. Many pretensioners of this type are actuated by a pyrotechnic charge, which generates gas to move a piston within a cylinder, the piston applying tension to a wire which is wound round the spindle of a seat-belt retractor so that seat-belt is wound into the retractor, thus tightening the seat-belt across the lap and chest of a person wearing the seat-belt. Other pretensioners may move the entire retractor relative to its mounting, or may move an end part of the seat-belt, or a guide through which the seat-belt passes, or may move the seat-belt buckle, relative to a mounting. The action of the pretensioner is to ensure that the seat-belt can provide an optimum retaining effect, thus effectively retaining the person wearing the seat-belt in their seat during the accident situation and minimising the risk of the person wearing the seat-belt moving from their position in their seat to impact with part of the vehicle, such as a steering-wheel or dashboard.
  • US 6,394,495 discloses a seat-belt tightener which has an electrical tightening device that can be operated in dependence on sensor signals generated by sensors which evaluate various parameters relating to the vehicle in which the arrangement is fitted. The electrical tightening device can generate a "soft" tightening profile with a relatively low seat-belt tension, or alternatively can generate a "hard" tightening profile with a higher pulling force, which gives a higher seat-belt tension. The soft tightening profile is chosen when the vehicle exhibits certain handling characteristics such as an excessive lateral acceleration, or excessive yaw angle speed or yaw angle acceleration. On the other hand the hard tightening profile is selected when other indicating signals, such as signals from a brake pressure meter, which determines the severity of braking, are higher than an assigned threshold value.
  • Thus the soft tightening profile is selected in response to signals from some specific sensors and the hard tightening profile is selected in response to signals from other sensors.
  • EP 0 800 970 A1 discloses a seat belt pretensioner arrangement comprising a pretensioner applying at least two tension levels to a seat-belt and a control system controlling the pretensioner, the control system including at least one processor processing signals from two or more sensors, which sense parameters related to the current or expected slip situation of the vehicle.
  • The present invention seeks to provide an improved seat-belt pretensioner arrangement.
  • According to this invention, there is provided a seat belt pretensioner arrangement comprising a pretensioner applying at least two tension levels to a seat-belt and a control system, controlling the pretensioner. the control system including at least one processor processing signals from two or more sensors, which sense parameters related to the current or expected slip situation of the vehicle, said processor generating a plurality of vehicle slip functions (fo/u, fbs, fem, fhsc), the control system incorporating a discriminator selecting one out of the plurality of slip functions (fo/u, fbs, fem, fhsc) where the slip functions (fo/u, fbs, fem, fhsc) are selected from over-steer/under-steer, body slip, evasive manoeuvring and high speed cornering, the control system also selecting the tension level to be applied to the seat-belt by the pretensioner in response to the value of the slip function (fi) provided by the control system, the control system incorporating a comparator
  • comparing the said slip function (fi) with a first threshold and at least one additional successively increasing threshold, the control system controlling the pretensioner to further increase the tension in the seat-belt as the or each successive threshold is passed.
  • Advantageously the sensors sense parameters selected from longitudinal velocity, lateral acceleration, angular velocity (yaw), and steering angle.
  • Preferably there is a said processor to generate a function indicative of over-steer/under-steer of the vehicle.
  • Conveniently there is a processor to generate a function indicative of body slip of the vehicle.
  • Advantageously there is a said processor to generate a function indicative of evasive manoeuvring of the vehicle.
  • Preferably, the function indicative of evasive manoeuvring is a function of axial velocity, steering angle and rate of change of steering angle. (Steering angular velocity).
  • Conveniently there is a said processor to generate a function indicative of high speed cornering of the vehicle.
  • Advantageously there are at least three thresholds.
  • In order that the invention may be more readily understood, and so that further features thereof may be appreciated, the invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
    • FIGURE 1 is a diagrammatic view of a motor car indicating various parameters to be sensed to control a safety-belt retractor,
    • FIGURE 2 is a block diagram illustrating a seat-belt pretensioner arrangement having various sensors, and associated processing circuitry together with a retractor,
    • FIGURE 3 is a graphical figure provided for purposes of explanation, and
    • FIGURE 4 is a further graphical figure, again provided for purposes of explanation.
  • Referring initially to Figure 1, a motor vehicle 1 is shown schematically, the vehicle 1 having a pair of rear wheels 2 and a pair of front wheels 3. Figure 1 illustrates various parameters which may be sensed in one embodiment of the invention. The vehicle may have a longitudinal velocity vx which is the normal speed of the vehicle. The vehicle may also have a lateral acceleration ay, and such an acceleration may be generated in a side impact situation or, alternatively, if the vehicle makes a sharp or high speed turn. The vehicle may have an angular velocity about a vertical axis z passing through the centre of the vehicle, ωz. This angular rotation may be termed "yaw".
  • Also, the vehicle has, at any instant, a "steering angle", the steering angle δ, being the angle between the rolling direction of the front wheels 3 of the vehicle and the longitudinal axis of the vehicle.
  • The vehicle 1 may be subjected to a lateral or side slip situation when the front wheels 3 and/or the real wheels 2 are slipping in a lateral direction, for instance as a result of under-steering or over-steering of the vehicle 1. A slip situation also occurs when the vehicle 1 is subjected to body slip, whereby the body of the vehicle 1 slips in a lateral direction.
  • Figure 2 illustrates a plurality of sensors which are provided to sense the various parameters identified with reference to Figure 1. A sensor 4 is provided to sense longitudinal velocity vx. A sensor 5 is provided to determine the angular velocity ωz (or "yaw") about the vertical axis z. A sensor 6 is provided to determine the steering angle δ. A sensor 7 is provided to determine lateral acceleration ay.
  • The signals from various combinations of sensors are passed to a central system in which the signals are processed by processors to produce outputs representative of various "handling conditions" or "vehicle dynamic severity conditions" of the vehicle. Thus, effectively the signals are processed to determine how the vehicle is being driven, whether slowly or quickly, whether cornering or straight, whether with sharp or high speed corners, to enable a determination to be made of whether there is a risk or probability of an accident occurring.
  • A processor 9, for example, determines a function (fo/u) of vx, ωz and δ, the function (fo/u) being a function which indicates the degree of over-steer or under-steer. Thus, the processor 9 performs a complex process on the inputs that it receives from three of the sensors, namely the sensors 4, 5 and 6 as described above, to produce an output which is effectively indicative of the degree of under-steer or the degree of over-steer. It is to be understood that the output indicative of the degree of under-steer or over-steer is to be used to indicate the degree of lateral slip of the vehicle 1.
  • Similarly the processor 10 determines a function (fbs) of vx, ωz and ay, the function (fbs) being a function which indicates the degree of body slip. Thus the processor 10 performs a complex process on the input that it receives from three of the sensors, namely the sensors 4, 5 and 7 to produce an output which is, effectively, an indication of the degree of side slip of the vehicle.
  • Similarly, the processor 11 determines a function (fem) of vx and δ, the function (fem) being in the form which indicates the degree of evasive manoeuvring of the motor vehicle. The function is actually a function which involves not only δ, but the first differential of δ with regard to time, that differential being determined within the processor 11. Thus the processor 11 forms a complex process on the inputs that it receives from two of the sensors, namely the sensors 4 and 6 to provide an output which is an effective indication of the degree of evasive manoeuvring being performed. The degree of evasive manoeuvring is related to the lateral slip of the vehicle 1, and it is to be understood that the output indicative of the degree of evasive manoeuvring is to be used to indicate the expected slip of the vehicle 1.
  • The processor 13 determines a function (fhsc) of vx and ay, the function (fhsc) being in a form which indicates high speed cornering of the vehicle. Thus the processor 13 performs a complex process on the input that it receives from two of the sensors, namely the sensors 4 and 7, to produce an output which is effectively an indication of the degree of high speed cornering that is being experienced by the vehicle. If the vehicle 1 is experiencing high speed cornering the vehicle 1 may undergo lateral slip and it is to be understood that the output from the sensors 4 and 7 which is indicative of the degree of high speed cornering is to be used to indicate the expected slip of the vehicle 1.
  • The arrangement, as thus far described, thus produces a plurality of signals, each of which are indicative of a "handling condition" or a "slip condition" of the vehicle. The signals have a low value when the vehicle is being driven slowly and carefully, and a high value when the vehicle is being driven in a potentially dangerous manner.
  • In the described embodiment of the invention all of the outputs of the processors 9 to 13 are provided to a discriminator 14. The discriminator 14 effectively determines which of the input signals from the processors 9 to 13 has the highest absolute value |fi|max and transfers that signal to a comparator 15. The discriminator 14 produces an output which is the absolute value of the function (fi), that is to say the numerical value of the function regardless of whether the numerical value is positive or negative. Alternatively the discriminator 14 may combine the signals from the various processors 9 to 13, to provide a complex function which indicates the degree of lateral slip or the expected degree of lateral slip of the vehicle 1 which is also indicative of overall probability or risk of an accident occurring. In determining the complex function other data may be used than simply the outputs fo the processors 9 to 13, such as, for example, the speed of the vehicle as sensed by the sensor 4.
  • The output of the discriminator 14 is provided to a comparator 15. The comparator 15 includes at least one threshold. The purpose of the comparator 15 is to provide an output when the function from the discriminator 14 exceeds a first threshold, and also to respond to a further increase in the function. Thus, there are, in this example, five incremental thresholds in the comparator 15. Any number of thresholds may be provided, with the minimum preferred value being three thresholds. The greater the number of thresholds, the increased "smoothness" with which tension is applied to the seat-belt.
  • There may, for example, be five incremental thresholds. The output of the comparator is provided to a force level selector 16. The force level selector 16 controls an electric motor 17 which is incorporated within a seat-belt retractor 19, to wind-in seat-belt until a predetermined tension is achieved. Thus, the tension in the seat-belt is increased when the first threshold is crossed, and is also increased in response to each of a plurality of further increases in the function, as each of the remaining four thresholds are passed. Thus the seat-belt is tensioned by the retractor in dependence on the magnitude of the function, with the level of tension increasing with an increasing value of the function (fi).
  • The processors 9 to 13, the discriminator 14, the comparator 15 and the selector 16 together form a control system to control the pretensioner. The control system generates a plurality of slip functions from a plurality of sensed parameters. The tension level applied to the seat-belt is selected in response to the value of the largest of the functions.
  • Whilst, in the described embodiment, there is a comparator with specific thresholds, in a modified embodiment of the invention the force level selector can be configured to select a force level or tension in the seat-belt which is directly proportional to the magnitude of the function, once the function has exceeded a first lower threshold, with the seat-belt tension thus rising smoothly until a maximum tension is obtained rather than in a step-wise fashion.
  • Whilst, as thus far described, the control function is exerted through the medium of a function selected from a plurality of functions derived from a plurality of processors, each of which effectively generates a signal indicative of a particular slip function or handling characteristic of a vehicle, it is possible to use a system with only one of the described processors. Thus, if only the processor 9 is used, the output of the processor 9, which indicates the degree of over-steer or under-steer, is passed directly to the comparator 15 which compares the degree of under-steer and over-steer with a plurality of thresholds (as will be described further with reference to Figure 3) and which passes a signal to the force level selector 16 to cause the retractor to be tensioned.
  • At this stage it is to be appreciated that the various sensors will sense parameters which are not directly related to an accident situation, but, by sensing the parameters, it is possible to determine when an accident is likely to occur, and, taking into account parameters such as the velocity of the vehicle vx at that instant, it is possible to determine the probable severity of the accident. In response to these calculations, the seat-belt may be retracted into the retractor. If the situation is such that there is a low risk of the vehicle going out of control, then the seat-belt may be tensioned gently. This will begin to place the seat-belt in an optimum condition to provide a desired degree of protection to the person utilising the seat-belt should an accident occur, but also the slight tightening of the seat-belt may well act as a warning, especially to the driver of the vehicle, that the vehicle is being driven in a manner which may cause an accident to occur. This slight or soft tightening of the seat-belt will not be such that there is any risk of the seat-belt itself providing discomfort to or injuring the person using the seat-belt. This gentle tightening of the seat-belt may help to hold a person in their seat if, for example, the vehicle corners violently. If the operation of the processors 9 to 13 are such that the function (fi) selected by the discriminator 14 exceeds the threshold in the comparator 15 and is indicative that a serious or "high energy" accident is about to occur, then the seat-belt may be tensioned, by the retractor, to a higher degree, which may provide some slight discomfort to the person wearing the seat-belt, (or may even injure the person - especially if the person suffers from osteoporosis or brittle bone syndrome) but which will ensure that the seat-belt is in the optimum condition for providing protection to the person wearing the seat-belt should the anticipated severe accident occur.
  • Referring now, for example, to Figure 3, the upper graphical figure is a graph showing the output of the processor 9, that is to say the processor that provides the function (fo/u) which indicates the degree of over-steering or under-steering. The graph shows five predetermined thresholds for under-steer and over-steer. It can be seen that initially there is a substantial degree of under-steer. As the degree of under-steer exceeds the first threshold, the tensioner motor 17 is actuated to wind in seat-belt until there is a tension F, and it can be seen that the tension in the safety-belt is 50 N. Subsequently the second threshold is crossed, and the tension rises to 75 N. As the third threshold is crossed the tension rises to 100 N and as the fourth and fifth thresholds are crossed the applied force rises to 125 and 150 N respectively. The degree of under-steer continues to increase, but the maximum tension of 150 N is maintained.
  • As the degree of under-steer reduces, the various thresholds are passed, until finally the first threshold is passed. The maximum tension is maintained, however, as all of these thresholds are passed and then for an additional predetermined period of time, as indicated by the short arrow 21. This is to ensure that tension is not released prematurely in a complex accident situation.
  • Subsequently there is a period of over-steer and as the first threshold is passed again a force 50 N is applied, with forces of 75 and 100 N being applied as the second and third thresholds are passed. In this part of the graph the fourth and fifth thresholds are not passed. Again, the maximum tension generated in the seat-belt is maintained until the degree of over-steer reduces to fall beneath the first threshold, and also for a further additional period of time indicated by the arrow 22 before the applied force is released.
  • It is to be appreciated, from Figure 3, that the tension in the seat-belt increases with incremental step increases as each threshold is passed. It is possible in a modified embodiment of the invention for the tension to be applied in a "smoother" manner, with the initial "soft" tension in the seat-belt being applied, once a first threshold has been exceeded. In such an embodiment the selector 16 may provide an output when a first threshold is exceeded, the output of the selector then rising in a predetermined manner in response to any further rise in the value of the function. Thus the tension in the seat-belt may be effectively proportional to the magnitude of the relative function until a second threshold or maximum possible applied force has been achieved. The applied force will then be maintained at the maximum level again until a predetermined period of time has elapsed following the reduction in the function to a level beneath the first threshold. This is illustrated in solid lines in Figure 4, with the corresponding "step" function being shown in dotted lines.
  • In operation of a preferred embodiment of the invention soft and early actuation of the tensioner may be achieved to give support in situations which are not really "accident" situations, but in which the vehicle is being handled in an erratic manner. This may serve to warn the driver of a potential accident situation. Whilst various sensors have been described, it is to be appreciated that in other embodiments of the invention other sensors may be used. Sensor signals may be acquired from sensors which form part of an ESP (Electronic Stability Programme), and from sensors which form part of an ABS (Anti-Lock Braking System).
  • It is to be understood that because an electric motor is used to tension the seat-belt in the retractor, the motor may release tension easily, when circumstances permit, and is immediately ready for re-use, in contrast to pretensioners which utilise pyrotechnic charges to generate gas to operate the pretensioner.
  • A retractor that forms part of an embodiment of the invention may additionally be provided with a conventional pretensioner actuated by a pyrotechnic charge, responsive to an accident sensor, to be actuated in case an accident should occur which is not sensed by sensors described above.
  • Whilst the invention has been described with reference to embodiments in which the pretensioner is incorporated into a retractor, other types of pretensioner may be used.
  • It is envisaged that in certain embodiments of the invention the control system may be configured so that whenever the seat-belt is in use and the vehicle is in use, tension will be applied to the seat-belt by the tensioner motor 17, so that the seat-belt is never "slack" but always gently restrains a seat occupant within the seat. In an embodiment of this type, the tension applied to the seat-belt by the tensioner motor will increase, under the control of the control system, in response to a potential "accident" situation, as described above.
  • When used in this Specification and Claims, the terms "comprises" and "comprising" and variations thereof mean that the specified features, steps or integers are included. The terms are not to be interpreted to exclude the presence of other features, steps or components.

Claims (8)

  1. A seat belt pretensioner arrangement comprising a pretensioner (17) configured to apply at least two tension levels to a seat-belt and a control system (9-16), to control the pretensioner (17), the control system (9-16) including at least one processor (9,10,11,13) to process signals from two or more sensors (4-7) which sense parameters related to the current or expected slip situation of the vehicle (1) to generate a plurality of vehicle slip functions (fo/u, fbs, fem, fhsc), the control system (9-16) incorporating a discriminator (14) to select one out of the plurality of slip functions (fo/u, fbs, fem, fhsc) where the slip functions (fo/u, fbs, fem, fhsc) are selected from over-steer/under-steer, body slip, evasive manoeuvring and high speed cornering, the control system (9-16) also being configured to select the tension level to be applied to the seat-belt by the pretensioner (17) in response to the value of the slip function (fi) provided by the control system (9-16), the control system (9-16) incorporating a comparator (15) configured to compare the said slip function (fi) with a first threshold and at least one additional successively increasing threshold, the control system (9-16) being configured to control the pretensioner (17) to further increase the tension in the seat-belt as the or each successive threshold is passed.
  2. An arrangement according to Claim 1 wherein the sensors (4-7) sense parameters selected from longitudinal velocity (vx), lateral acceleration (ay), angular velocity (yaw) (ωz), and steering angle (δ).
  3. An arrangement according to Claim 2 wherein there is a said processor (9) to generate a function (fo/u) indicative of over-steer/under-steer of the vehicle (1).
  4. An arrangement according to Claim 2 or 3 wherein there is a processor (10) to generate a function (fbs) indicative of body slip of the vehicle (1).
  5. An arrangement according to any one of Claims 2 to 4 wherein there is a said processor (11) to generate a function (fem) indicative of evasive manoeuvring of the vehicle (1).
  6. An arrangement according to Claim 5 wherein the function (fem) indicative of evasive manoeuvring is a function of axial velocity (vx), steering angle (δ) and rate of change of steering angle (δ) (steering angular velocity).
  7. An arrangement according to any one of Claims 2 to 6 wherein there is a said processor (13) to generate a function (fhsc) indicative of high speed cornering of the vehicle (1).
  8. An arrangement according to any preceding claim wherein there are at least three thresholds.
EP06717082A 2005-04-07 2006-04-04 A seat-belt pretensioner arrangement Active EP1866191B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB0507089A GB2424983A (en) 2005-04-07 2005-04-07 Seatbelt pretensioner control system
PCT/SE2006/000403 WO2006107260A1 (en) 2005-04-07 2006-04-04 A seat-belt pretensioner arrangement

Publications (3)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1866191A1 EP1866191A1 (en) 2007-12-19
EP1866191A4 EP1866191A4 (en) 2010-09-01
EP1866191B1 true EP1866191B1 (en) 2012-05-02

Family

ID=34586873

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP06717082A Active EP1866191B1 (en) 2005-04-07 2006-04-04 A seat-belt pretensioner arrangement

Country Status (8)

Country Link
US (1) US7624833B2 (en)
EP (1) EP1866191B1 (en)
JP (1) JP4891988B2 (en)
KR (1) KR101267507B1 (en)
CN (1) CN101171159B (en)
AT (1) ATE555950T1 (en)
GB (1) GB2424983A (en)
WO (1) WO2006107260A1 (en)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP3647127A1 (en) * 2018-10-29 2020-05-06 Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha Control device for vehicle seat belt

Families Citing this family (15)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE112004003030B4 (en) * 2004-12-23 2014-04-30 Daimler Ag Retaining device for an occupant of a vehicle
GB2424982A (en) * 2005-04-07 2006-10-11 Autoliv Dev Seatbelt pretensioner dependent on steering rate
GB2424983A (en) 2005-04-07 2006-10-11 Autoliv Dev Seatbelt pretensioner control system
JP4299331B2 (en) 2006-12-06 2009-07-22 本田技研工業株式会社 Vehicle seat belt device
DE102007017669B4 (en) * 2007-04-14 2020-04-23 Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft Seat belt arrangement
JP4876028B2 (en) * 2007-05-30 2012-02-15 本田技研工業株式会社 Vehicle seat belt device
US9120855B2 (en) 2010-02-10 2015-09-01 Novartis Ag Biologic compounds directed against death receptor 5
GB201105279D0 (en) 2011-03-29 2011-05-11 Jaguar Cars Control of active vehicle device
FR2987015B1 (en) * 2012-02-17 2015-02-20 Peugeot Citroen Automobiles Sa PASSENGER PROTECTION SYSTEM OF A VEHICLE AND METHOD OF IMPLEMENTING SUCH A SYSTEM IN A SURVIOR OR UNDERVIRAGE SITUATION
EP2650177B1 (en) * 2012-04-10 2016-07-06 Autoliv Development AB Method for triggering a motorized retractor for a safety belt system of a vehicle
US8960724B2 (en) 2013-03-15 2015-02-24 Autoliv Asp, Inc. Controlled pressure release for seatbelt pretensioning devices
EP2808206B1 (en) * 2013-05-27 2017-07-12 Volvo Car Corporation Method and system of a vehicle for reversible seat belt retraction
EP3636497B1 (en) * 2018-10-12 2021-05-19 Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha Occupant restraint system for vehicle
CN109515380B (en) * 2018-11-26 2021-02-05 爱驰汽车有限公司 Safety belt pre-tightening control method, system, equipment and storage medium
JP7172941B2 (en) 2019-10-07 2022-11-16 トヨタ自動車株式会社 vehicle occupant restraint system

Family Cites Families (48)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JP2946995B2 (en) * 1993-03-31 1999-09-13 日産自動車株式会社 Vehicle seat belt device
US5605202A (en) * 1995-06-07 1997-02-25 Itt Automotive, Inc. Apparatus and method for enhancing performance of an occupant restraint system in a vehicle
JP4142750B2 (en) * 1995-09-08 2008-09-03 タカタ株式会社 Vehicle occupant restraint protection system
US5765774A (en) * 1996-04-05 1998-06-16 Takata Corporation Seat belt retractor employing ultrasonic motor
SE9604671L (en) * 1996-12-19 1998-06-20 Volvo Ab Vehicle safety device
US6257363B1 (en) * 1997-12-16 2001-07-10 Nsk Ltd. Automotive passenger restraint and protection apparatus
GB2373221B (en) * 1997-12-16 2002-10-23 Nsk Ltd Automotive passenger restraint and protection apparatus
US6626463B1 (en) * 1998-09-22 2003-09-30 Nsk Autoliv Co., Ltd. Seatbelt device
DE19957802A1 (en) * 1999-12-01 2001-06-07 Trw Repa Gmbh Belt retractor system
DE10005010C2 (en) * 2000-02-04 2002-11-21 Daimler Chrysler Ag Method and safety restraint for restraining an occupant in a vehicle seat
US6539299B2 (en) 2000-02-18 2003-03-25 Optimum Power Technology Apparatus and method for calibrating an engine management system
DE10010633A1 (en) * 2000-03-03 2001-09-06 Siemens Ag Detecting rollover situation with sufficiently high level of security against unintentional restraint triggering for misuse, extreme driving situations, sensor errors
US6726249B2 (en) * 2000-05-26 2004-04-27 Takata Corporation Motorized seat belt retractor
DE10029061C2 (en) * 2000-06-13 2003-12-11 Breed Automotive Tech Restraint
US7132937B2 (en) * 2000-09-25 2006-11-07 Ford Global Technologies, Llc Wheel lift identification for an automotive vehicle using passive and active detection
DE10061040A1 (en) * 2000-12-08 2002-06-13 Daimler Chrysler Ag Process for controlling a reversible belt tensioner
US6906621B2 (en) * 2001-02-06 2005-06-14 Mazda Motor Corporation Occupant protection system for vehicle
DE10121386C1 (en) * 2001-05-02 2002-08-29 Daimler Chrysler Ag Method for controlling a reversible occupant protection device in a motor vehicle
JP3714207B2 (en) * 2001-07-27 2005-11-09 日産自動車株式会社 Crew restraint system
US7107136B2 (en) * 2001-08-29 2006-09-12 Delphi Technologies, Inc. Vehicle rollover detection and mitigation using rollover index
JP3601511B2 (en) * 2001-12-18 2004-12-15 トヨタ自動車株式会社 Seat belt equipment
CN101115646B (en) * 2002-03-19 2011-11-16 汽车系统实验室公司 Vehicle rollover detection system
EP1487678A2 (en) * 2002-03-19 2004-12-22 Automotive Systems Laboratory Inc. Vehicle rollover detection system
US6629575B2 (en) * 2002-04-24 2003-10-07 Dimitar Nikolov Vehicle occupant emergency system
DE10229931A1 (en) * 2002-07-04 2004-01-15 Wanzl Metallwarenfabrik Gmbh Track roller for shopping and transport trolleys
DE10230483A1 (en) * 2002-07-06 2004-01-15 Robert Bosch Gmbh Procedure for controlling a two-stage belt tensioner
JP3815420B2 (en) * 2002-10-24 2006-08-30 トヨタ自動車株式会社 Vehicle occupant protection device
JP3912260B2 (en) * 2002-10-31 2007-05-09 日産自動車株式会社 Vehicle seat belt device
JP3815428B2 (en) * 2002-12-05 2006-08-30 トヨタ自動車株式会社 Vehicle seat belt device
KR100521169B1 (en) * 2002-12-27 2005-10-12 현대자동차주식회사 A method for controlling rollover of vehicle
JP3926748B2 (en) * 2003-01-24 2007-06-06 本田技研工業株式会社 Seat belt device
JP4242166B2 (en) * 2003-02-04 2009-03-18 本田技研工業株式会社 Seat belt device
US7092808B2 (en) * 2003-02-26 2006-08-15 Ford Global Technologies, Llc Integrated sensing system for an automotive system
DE10317640A1 (en) * 2003-04-17 2004-11-04 Robert Bosch Gmbh Device for controlling restraint devices
JP3890477B2 (en) 2003-06-12 2007-03-07 日産自動車株式会社 Vehicle rollover judging method and vehicle rollover judging device
US6915196B2 (en) * 2003-09-23 2005-07-05 Ford Global Technologies, Llc Method for operating a vehicle crash safety system in a vehicle having a pre-crash sensing system and countermeasure systems
US7222007B2 (en) * 2004-01-07 2007-05-22 Ford Global Technologies, Llc Attitude sensing system for an automotive vehicle relative to the road
US7162340B2 (en) * 2004-01-08 2007-01-09 Delphi Technologies, Inc. Vehicle rollover detection and method of anticipating vehicle rollover
DE112005000348A5 (en) * 2004-03-01 2007-05-24 Continental Teves Ag & Co. Ohg Device for determining a tilt tendency
DE102004021174A1 (en) * 2004-04-30 2005-11-24 Daimlerchrysler Ag Method for controlling a safety-relevant component of a motor vehicle and motor vehicle with a preventive triggering safety system
GB2432957A (en) * 2004-09-02 2007-06-06 Tk Holdings Inc Motorized seat belt system
JP4614183B2 (en) * 2004-09-29 2011-01-19 マツダ株式会社 Vehicle seat belt device
US7715965B2 (en) * 2004-10-15 2010-05-11 Ford Global Technologies System and method for qualitatively determining vehicle loading conditions
US7370721B2 (en) * 2004-12-03 2008-05-13 Autoliv Asp, Inc. Seatbelt tensioning device and method
GB2424983A (en) 2005-04-07 2006-10-11 Autoliv Dev Seatbelt pretensioner control system
JP2006306223A (en) * 2005-04-27 2006-11-09 Toyota Motor Corp Rollover determining device
US7138938B1 (en) * 2005-05-06 2006-11-21 Ford Global Technologies, Llc System and method for preemptively sensing an object and selectively operating both a collision countermeasure system and a parking assistance system aboard an automotive vehicle
JP2007276540A (en) * 2006-04-03 2007-10-25 Honda Motor Co Ltd Occupant restraint system for vehicle

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP3647127A1 (en) * 2018-10-29 2020-05-06 Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha Control device for vehicle seat belt

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
CN101171159A (en) 2008-04-30
WO2006107260A1 (en) 2006-10-12
ATE555950T1 (en) 2012-05-15
EP1866191A1 (en) 2007-12-19
US7624833B2 (en) 2009-12-01
JP2008535724A (en) 2008-09-04
CN101171159B (en) 2012-03-21
EP1866191A4 (en) 2010-09-01
GB0507089D0 (en) 2005-05-11
KR101267507B1 (en) 2013-05-23
GB2424983A (en) 2006-10-11
KR20070119733A (en) 2007-12-20
US20080033616A1 (en) 2008-02-07
JP4891988B2 (en) 2012-03-07

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
EP1866191B1 (en) A seat-belt pretensioner arrangement
US7894959B2 (en) Method and device for actuating a passenger protection means
US7912609B2 (en) Motor vehicle comprising a preventive protective system
EP1866188B1 (en) A seat-belt pretensioner arrangement
US20060076178A1 (en) Method for actuating a reversible vehicle occupant protection means in a motor vehicle
JP3988600B2 (en) Crew restraint system
US8275519B2 (en) Motor vehicle having a preventatively acting safety system
US8244437B2 (en) Method and system for restraint deployment using lateral kinetic energy
KR20100095578A (en) Method and device for controlling security means for a vehicle
US20090024282A1 (en) Method for a Preventive-Action Protection System In a Motor Vehicle Having an Inter-Vehicle Distance Sensor System
US20090150028A1 (en) Motor vehicle with a safety system with a preventive action
JP2007536142A (en) A method for controlling the operation of a reversible belt pretensioner in an automobile.
US8335614B2 (en) Method for controlling a belt pretensioner and safety arrangement comprising a belt pretensioner
JP2006298315A (en) Operation supporting system
US20050021206A1 (en) Method for obtaining triggering signals for passive safety devices of a motor vehicle from data of a vehicle dynamics control system
EP2650180B1 (en) Method for triggering a motorized retractor for a safety belt system of a vehicle
US20080284243A1 (en) Method for a Preventive-Action Protection System in a Motor Vehicle
EP2650177B1 (en) Method for triggering a motorized retractor for a safety belt system of a vehicle
DE102014018946B4 (en) Device and method for controlling at least one reversible occupant protection device

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
PUAI Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012

17P Request for examination filed

Effective date: 20070924

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC NL PL PT RO SE SI SK TR

DAX Request for extension of the european patent (deleted)
A4 Supplementary search report drawn up and despatched

Effective date: 20100729

RIC1 Information provided on ipc code assigned before grant

Ipc: B60R 21/013 20060101AFI20100723BHEP

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: DE

Ref legal event code: R079

Ref document number: 602006029234

Country of ref document: DE

Free format text: PREVIOUS MAIN CLASS: B60R0022340000

Ipc: B60R0021013000

GRAP Despatch of communication of intention to grant a patent

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIGR1

RIC1 Information provided on ipc code assigned before grant

Ipc: B60R 21/013 20060101AFI20110930BHEP

GRAS Grant fee paid

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIGR3

GRAA (expected) grant

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009210

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: B1

Designated state(s): AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC NL PL PT RO SE SI SK TR

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: GB

Ref legal event code: FG4D

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: CH

Ref legal event code: EP

Ref country code: AT

Ref legal event code: REF

Ref document number: 555950

Country of ref document: AT

Kind code of ref document: T

Effective date: 20120515

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: IE

Ref legal event code: FG4D

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: SE

Ref legal event code: TRGR

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: DE

Ref legal event code: R096

Ref document number: 602006029234

Country of ref document: DE

Effective date: 20120628

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: NL

Ref legal event code: VDEP

Effective date: 20120502

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: LT

Ref legal event code: MG4D

Effective date: 20120502

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: LT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20120502

Ref country code: CY

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20120502

Ref country code: FI

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20120502

Ref country code: IS

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20120902

Ref country code: PL

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20120502

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: AT

Ref legal event code: MK05

Ref document number: 555950

Country of ref document: AT

Kind code of ref document: T

Effective date: 20120502

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: SI

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20120502

Ref country code: GR

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20120803

Ref country code: LV

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20120502

Ref country code: PT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20120903

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: BE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20120502

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: CZ

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20120502

Ref country code: EE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20120502

Ref country code: DK

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20120502

Ref country code: RO

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20120502

Ref country code: NL

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20120502

Ref country code: AT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20120502

Ref country code: SK

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20120502

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: IT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20120502

PLBE No opposition filed within time limit

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009261

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: NO OPPOSITION FILED WITHIN TIME LIMIT

26N No opposition filed

Effective date: 20130205

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: ES

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20120813

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: DE

Ref legal event code: R097

Ref document number: 602006029234

Country of ref document: DE

Effective date: 20130205

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: BG

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20120802

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: MC

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20120502

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: CH

Ref legal event code: PL

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: IE

Ref legal event code: MM4A

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: CH

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20130430

Ref country code: LI

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20130430

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: IE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20130404

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: TR

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20120502

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: LU

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20130404

Ref country code: HU

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT; INVALID AB INITIO

Effective date: 20060404

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: FR

Ref legal event code: PLFP

Year of fee payment: 11

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: FR

Ref legal event code: PLFP

Year of fee payment: 12

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: FR

Ref legal event code: PLFP

Year of fee payment: 13

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: SE

Payment date: 20220422

Year of fee payment: 17

Ref country code: GB

Payment date: 20220425

Year of fee payment: 17

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: FR

Payment date: 20230424

Year of fee payment: 18

Ref country code: DE

Payment date: 20230418

Year of fee payment: 18

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: SE

Ref legal event code: EUG

GBPC Gb: european patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee

Effective date: 20230404

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: GB

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20230404

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: SE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20230405

Ref country code: GB

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20230404